catalytic converter

[TwomSixer]

Im suspecting mine is shot. Im getting a foul sulphuric smell, especially if the car has idled for a minute or two. Ive also got a whole list of problems that Ive been trying to trace down, and maybe it's the cause of atleast some of them. Most of them are related to my idle, and a misfire.

What are the pros and cons of removing the cat? Inspection I dont have to worry about. One friend told me removing the cat will show horsepower gains but that I'd also lose some low end torque so it would be a trade off. Another friend told me that's BS.

I can't really afford a new cat right now, especially if Im still experiencing my problems after getting rid of this one. So I was just gonna cut it off and weld a pipe in its place, atleast for the time being.

[drivinfaster]

unless you have a race motor, the cat doesn't make enough restriction to worry about. so your other friend that said it is bs is correct.
that being said, the misfire is causing unburned fuel to enter the cat. this is what makes the sulphur smell. the cat is working it butt off. it will melt down very quickly unless you figure out where the misfire is coming from. i suggest you get it checked out, unless you are savvy enough to figure it out. (my guess is a coil pak or boot, maybe more than 1, but i would need more detailed info to help).
does the engine smooth out as the rpm increase? if not, then my sugestion would be to unplug 1 coil pak at a time and note whick one(s) do NOT change the idle. then to confirm if it is the cyclinder or coil pak, switch with another cylinder and re-do the test. if it changes, replace the coil. if it doesn't, then there is another component at fault. it could be the spark plug, which i would do the same thing with the plug as the coil pak. if that doesn't change the cylinder behavior, you may have a valve, ring, piston, or gasket problem. further diagnosis would be needed, but do the coil pak test first.
good luck

drivinfaster

[HolE39]

Trouble codes?

[Drummerboi]

unless you have a race motor, the cat doesn't make enough restriction to worry about. so your other friend that said it is bs is correct.
that being said, the misfire is causing unburned fuel to enter the cat. this is what makes the sulphur smell. the cat is working it butt off. it will melt down very quickly unless you figure out where the misfire is coming from. i suggest you get it checked out, unless you are savvy enough to figure it out. (my guess is a coil pak or boot, maybe more than 1, but i would need more detailed info to help).
does the engine smooth out as the rpm increase? if not, then my sugestion would be to unplug 1 coil pak at a time and note whick one(s) do NOT change the idle. then to confirm if it is the cyclinder or coil pak, switch with another cylinder and re-do the test. if it changes, replace the coil. if it doesn't, then there is another component at fault. it could be the spark plug, which i would do the same thing with the plug as the coil pak. if that doesn't change the cylinder behavior, you may have a valve, ring, piston, or gasket problem. further diagnosis would be needed, but do the coil pak test first.
good luck

drivinfaster


can u take out the coil while the engine is running???

[Mary99]

.......I can't really afford a new cat right now, especially if Im still experiencing my problems after getting rid of this one. So I was just gonna cut it off and weld a pipe in its place, atleast for the time being.

What????? :tsk:

Cats are to ensure lowest emissions possible so that the environment is impacted as less as possible.

Remove the cat for the time being???. Have you no conscience for the future? Don't you have kids, don't your family members have kids? Don't you know anyone with cancer or serious respiratory health issues :mad:

I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for people who must own a BMW but can't afford to repair it properly and choose to pollute and destroy intentionally.

Do yourself and everyone else a favour; if you can't afford to repair it yet then stop driving it or sell it and get a properly working vehicle. Forget about looking good with your BMW and get your priorities straight :thumbup:

What's next, dumping anti-freeze into drinking water because it's inconvenient for you to dispose of it properly?

[TwomSixer]

There's a difference between being inconvenient and being expensive. I dumped my old oil at a recycle bin at the local auto shop because it didnt cost me anything. Even if it would have costed me 5-10 USD I would have done it. If they charged me $500 to dump my oil there, would I have done it? Probably not.

I do have family members that have died from lung cancer, but I'm pretty sure it wasnt from one more car running without a cat. Im pretty sure it was from 30+ years of smoking.

[Mary99]

....I do have family members that have died from lung cancer, but I'm pretty sure it wasnt from one more car running without a cat. I.....

If you were my neighbor, and I knew you removed the cat, I would contact the authorities on your behalf. Not because I don't like you, but because you are irresponsible and believe you should be the exception. Nonetheless, good luck making your decision.

People who choose to be the problem and not want to participate in being the solution will ALWAYS say, I'm sure one....(meaning them, they should be the exception) will not make a difference.

Yeah whatever,...one day you'll learn. Karma works funny that way.

[Haelo]

Ya'll should calm down, your point comes across a lot clearer if it's not riddled with personal jabs.